CNN Headlines Expandsโฃ Programming Slate with New shows
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atlanta, GA -โ August 18, 2025 โข- CNN is bolstering its free ad-supported streaming television (FAST)โ channel, CNN Headlines, with a fresh lineup of programming designed โขto attract a โwider audience and complement its existing โขcableโ offerings. This strategic expansion reflects the growing importance of FAST channels in the current โฃmedia surroundings.
New Programmingโฃ Highlights
The โคnetwork announced three โคnew shows for CNNโข Headlines: CNN Headline Express,ICYMI (In Case You Missed it),and โ American Pulse. โฃThese additions aim to provide viewers with aโฃ diverse range of news and information, from breaking national and international events to local reporting.
CNN Headline Express will be hosted by brad smith, who joined CNN in july after โขprevious roles at Yahoo! Finance and Cheddar. The program will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including news, sports, entertainment, business, and culture. ICYMI will curate storiesโข from CNN’s existing U.S. programming, offering a convenient way for viewers to โขcatch up on missed content. American Pulse will showcase reporting from CNN’s network of affiliate stations across the country,providing a localized outlook on national stories.
Did You Know?โฃ The FAST channel market is experiencing meaningful growth, withโข revenue projected to reach $6.1 billion in 2024, according to a reportโ by Statista [Statista].
Executive โขInsights
Eric Sherling, executive vice president of U.S. programming for CNNโ Worldwide, emphasized โขthe network’s commitment to leveraging its resources to serve a growing audience. “by tapping into our vast affiliate network and providing timely โlive news updates,our refreshed offering serves the growing market and complements our existing cable programming,” Sherling stated.
Expanding the CNN Streaming Ecosystem
CNN is actively โคdeveloping its streaming presence with plans to launch a new subscription-based news service that will include access to CNN.com. This move follows the implementation of a paywall on CNN.com last year. In 2024, the network also debuted the CNNโฃ Originals FAST channel, dedicated to long-form content from its original series library. โThis multi-pronged approach demonstrates โCNN’s commitment to โขadapting to changing โconsumer habits โand diversifying its revenue streams.
Pro Tip: FAST channels offer a cost-effective way for media companies to reach viewers who are cutting the cord and seeking free, ad-supported content.
Accessibility and Availability
CNN Headlines is currently available onโ a variety of connected television platforms, including Roku, as wellโค as through the CNN app and directlyโ on CNN.com’s homepage. This widespread availability โensuresโ that viewers can easily access the channel’s programming onโ thier preferred devices.
Key Developments Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | Brad Smith joins CNN |
| 2024 | CNN launches CNN Originals FAST channel |
| Last Year (2024) | CNN.com implements a โpaywall |
What impact will these newโข programs have on CNN’s viewership numbers? And how โคwill CNN balance its traditional cable offerings with its expanding streaming services?
The riseโ of FAST channels represents a significant shift in the media landscape,driven by consumer demand for free,ad-supported content. This trend is particularly pronounced among cord-cuttersโ and cord-nevers,who โare increasingly turning to streaming services for their news and entertainment. CNN’s investment in CNN headlines and its broader streaming strategy positions the network to capitalize on this growing market.The success of these initiatives will depend on CNN’s ability toโค deliver high-quality, engagingโฃ content that โappeals to a diverse audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is aโฃ FAST channel? A FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channelโค is a streaming television channel that is free โto watch andโข supported byโ advertising.
- Who is Brad smith? Brad Smith is the host of CNN Headline Express and โa โขrecent addition to the CNN โขteam,previously working at Yahoo! Financeโข and Cheddar.
- What is the purpose of American Pulse? American Pulse features reportingโ from CNN’s affiliate stations across the country,โ offering โa local perspective on national news.
- Is CNN.com still available for free? โ Parts of CNN.com are now behind a paywall, launched last year, but access is included with the โขupcoming subscription streaming service.
- Where can I watch CNN Headlines? CNN Headlines is available on Roku, the CNN app, and CNN.com’s homepage.
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